Root Mass Research Articles

Revision of the Histopathological Examination Following 68Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 PET/CT of a Breast Tumor Diagnosed as Invasive Ductal Carcinomatosis.

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the breast represent 1% of breast carcinomas. Histopathological misinterpretation of breast NET is common. We present the case of a female patient who had a breast mass diagnosed as invasive ductal carcinoma initially by histopathological examination. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) revealed 2 ametabolic hypodense liver lesions. Subsequently, the patient underwent fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI)-PET/CT, which did not reveal any FAP expression in the liver lesions, but increased FAP expression was observed in the soft tissue mass of the mesenteric root. Consequently, the pathology of the biopsy taken from the nodule in the right breast was revised, and a diagnosis of grade 2 NET was established. The benefit of FAPI-PET/CT on NETs has been previously investigated. Further prospective studies are required to establish the role of FAPI-PET/CT in NET management.

Root traits vary as much as leaf traits and have consistent phenotypic plasticity among 14 populations of a globally widespread herb

Abstract Our understanding of plant functional trait variation among populations and how this relates to local adaptation to environmental conditions is largely shaped by above‐ground traits. However, we might expect below‐ground traits linked to resource acquisition and conservation to vary among populations that experience different environmental conditions. Alternatively, below‐ground traits might be highly plastic in response to growing conditions, such as availability of soil resources and association with symbiont arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). We assessed (i) the strength of among‐population variation in above‐ and below‐ground traits, (ii) the effects of growing conditions on among‐population variation and (iii) whether variation among populations is linked to source environment conditions, in a globally distributed perennial Plantago lanceolata. Using seeds from 14 populations across three continents, we grew plants in a common garden experiment and measured leaf and root traits linked to resource acquisition and water conservation. We included two sets of experimental treatments (high or low water availability; with and without AMF inoculation), which enabled us to assess trait responses to growing conditions. Across treatments, the percentage of root trait variation explained by populations and continents was 9%–26%, compared to 7%–20% for leaf trait variation. From principal component analysis (PCA), the first PC axis for both root and leaf traits largely reflected plant size, while the second PC broadly captured mass allocation. Root mass allocation (PC 2) was related to mean annual temperature and mean moisture index, indicating that populations from cooler, wetter environments had longer, thinner roots. However, we found little support for a relationship between source environment and leaf trait PCs, root system size (PC1) or individual traits. Water availability and AMF inoculation effects on size were consistent among populations, with larger plants under AMF inoculation, and less mass allocation to leaves under lower water availability. Plantago lanceolata shows substantial population‐level variation in a suite of root traits, but that variation is only partially linked to the source environmental variables studied. Despite considerable differences in source abiotic environments, geographically separated populations have retained a strong and similar capacity for phenotypic plasticity both above and below‐ground. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Morph-physiology and development of soybean cultivars under irrigation shift

During certain periods of the year, some Brazilian regions impose water restrictions, initiating the growth cycle of the soybean crop. Thus, this work was conducted aiming to evaluate the morphophysiology and development of soybean cultivars under irrigation intervals. The experiment was conduct in January 2021, in a rural property, located in the municipality of Lavínia, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The design was completely randomized, in a 2×5 factorial scheme, with two soybean cultivars, M7110IPro (Monsoy®) and Desafio RR8473RSF (Brasmax®), interacting with the irrigation intervals (i.e., 24 h (Control); 48 h; 72 h, 96 h and 120 h) totalizing 10 treatments. We used four repetitions per treatment, which totalizes 40 plots or pots. Our results revealed that intervals longer than 48 h already negatively influence in morphophysiology of the soybean crop. Intervals of 96 h caused greater negative interferences on plant height (PH); number of leaflets (NL); number of pods (NP); dry mass of aerial part (DMAP) and root (DMR) in the soybean crop when grown in pots. Water stress did not influence the stomatal density of soybean grown in pots. Water stress harms soybean physiological parameters. No soybean cultivar showed tolerance to water stress.

Dormancy break, sprouting and later tuber reproduction in response to different tuber sizes of tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.).

Dormancy release pattern, sprout growth and later reproduction were studied among various tuber sizes of Cyperus esculentus to determine effective methods to release dormancy and further to select suitable tuber size of this species in production. The results showed that medium tubers performed better during sprouting than large and small tubers under all pre-sprouting treatments. Pre-sprouting treatments at 25°C, 35°C, RT (room temperature) and -2°C were effective in relieving dormancy in medium tubers. Tiller number from medium tubers were significantly higher under 25°C, RT and 45°C than under 35°C and -2°C. Shoot and root mass from medium tubers were significantly higher under the 25°C, 35°C and RT than under other treatments. Tiller and tuber numbers both decreased with decreasing tuber size, as did tuber yield after three months of growth. Furthermore, leftover mass decreased with decreasing tuber mass and remained unchanged at sprouting and maturity periods. A significantly negative allometric correlation was found between plant mass and tuber mass from small tubers. However, a significantly positive allometric correlation was found between tuber size and tuber number from large tubers. In conclusion, medium tubers had a competitive advantage in sprouting, growth and reproduction.

Toxic effect of elements on the germination and initial development of barley seeds (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is an agricultural vegetable from the Poaceae family used in food and beer production. The study aimed to evaluate the toxic effect of Aluminum (Al) and Copper (Cu) on germination and initial development in barley seeds cultivar KWS Irina. Different concentrations (0, 35, 85 and 125 mg L-1) of aqueous solution of Al and Cu were produced from their chlorides. The toxicity experiment was carried out in a germination box maintained in a germination chamber with a 12-h photoperiod. After 15 days of germination, the seedlings were measured using a millimetric ruler (cm) where they were evaluated for plant length, root length, and fresh and dry mass of plant and root determined on a digital analytical scale (g). Barley seedlings cultivar KWS Irina demonstrated to be intolerant to concentrations of the toxic elements Al and Cu in all plant parameters analyzed, except for plant dry mass. Future studies should be carried out comparing the initial and reproductive development of this barley cultivar in terms of the presence and absence of toxic elements.

Experimental Investigation of Water Infiltration Law in Loess with Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) Roots

Physical model experiments are increasingly applied in the study of the water infiltration law in loess with roots. In the past, due to differences in study objects and the limitations of measuring techniques, the infiltration law in loess with roots is rarely evaluated by using appropriate indoor physical model experimental data. In order to investigate the law of water infiltration in loess with roots, we designed a new soil column experimental device that can automatically collect data and images. By comparing the soil column experiment data of loess, we analyzed variables in root contents (the ratio of root mass to dry soil mass) and root types. Roots with diameters of 0–2 mm, 2–5 mm, and 5–10 mm are defined as type I, type II, and type III, respectively. It was found that the water infiltration rate, water-holding capacity, and saturated permeability coefficient increase with the increase in root content. In loess containing different root types, the root types were found to improve the rate of water infiltration, water-holding capacity, and saturated permeability coefficient in the soil. The root types were ranked in descending order in terms of their impact: root type II had the highest improvement, followed by root type III, and then root type I. The phenomenon of circumferential flow existed when water infiltrated loess with roots. Root content and root type would affect the radius of circumferential flow, infiltration path, and cross-section. When calculating the saturated permeability coefficient of loess with roots, ignoring the effect of circumferential flow would lead to a higher result.

Effects of Drought, Phosphorus Fertilization and Provenance on the Growth of Common Beech and Sessile Oak

The negative impact of drought on plant growth may be modified by the different availability of mineral nutrients and by their adaptation to different local habitat conditions. In this study, we examine the impact of drought, fertilization with phosphorus and provenance, as well as their interactions, on the growth and allometric growth relationships between the belowground and aboveground organs of common beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.). The research was conducted on saplings originating from two mature mixed stands (dry and wet provenances) dominated by these species. In the common garden experiment, saplings were exposed to regular watering and drought in interaction with moderate and high phosphorus concentrations in the growing substrate (achieved by phosphorus fertilization). The obtained results indicate the negative impact of drought and phosphorus fertilization on the growth of both species. In common beech, a negative impact of phosphorus fertilization on the adaptive capacity to drought was demonstrated by unfavorable ratios between fine root mass and the mass of other organs. The sessile oak provenances under the impact of drought showed a different root collar diameter/stem height increment ratio, which indicates their different phenotypic plasticity as a consequence of adaptation to different frequencies of dry periods in their natural habitats.

Tall fescue tiller survival over summer in a subtropical environment: The role of the size and depth of root systems

AbstractPasture persistence is a key determinant of the economic and environmental performance of pastoral animal production systems. Large and deep root systems that help resist summer water stress have been proposed as a relevant trait for vegetative persistence of perennial temperate forage species growing in subtropical climates or under future climatically challenging scenarios. In a previous study [Jauregui et al., 2017. Persistence of tall fescue in a subtropical environment: Tiller survival over summer in response to flowering control and nitrogen supply. Grass and Forage Science 72, 454–466] we have shown that nitrogen fertilization and grazing management aimed at ‘control flowering’ increased the survival of tall fescue tillers during harsh summers in Uruguay (lat. 32°S). Here we assessed: (i) to what extent tiller survival is mediated by root system size in spring and (ii) what consequences tiller survival entails for root mass, depth and morphology the following autumn. In two field experiments, significant increases in tiller survival in response to nitrogen fertilization and grazing management (+60% and +80% in 2011/12 and 2012/13, respectively) were not related to concomitant effects on the size or depth of the root system in spring (p > .10). Even when six‐fold within‐treatment variation in root mass was observed, within‐treatment variation in summer tiller survival was little affected (<15%, p = .08). In turn, differences in tiller survival over summer affected little root system characteristics the following autumn. Therefore, we found scant support for the hypothesis that large and deep root systems contribute to survival of tall fescue tillers in this subtropical humid climate. Except for soils with less than 30 mm of plant available water holding capacity, summer water deficits did not induce severe tiller mortality in tall fescue in this climate.

The role of green fertilizers for soil fertility and increasing the yield of agricultural crops

The article discusses the prospects for the introduction of crop sideral crops - white mustard, white clover, spring barley, Rowan-leaved phacelia, oilseed radish on irrigated arable land in the Central part of the Chui valley of Kyrgyzstan after harvesting winter wheat, which corresponds to the basics of organic management of irrigated agriculture. In the arid, hot summer climate of the Chui valley, the cultivation of crop siderates is accompanied by the use of regular irrigation using sprinklers. The issues of accumulation of aboveground and root mass of sideral crops - white mustard, white clover, spring barley, Rowan-leaved phacelia, oilseed radish and their influence on increasing potato yield are studied. The article considers the advantage of joint mineralization of hard - to-decompose forms of plant residues of the previous crop-winter wheat and green phytomass of crop siderates to replenish the organic matter of the soil and to obtain environmentally friendly crop production. The materials of the research work allow us to recommend crop sideral crops on the irrigated arable lands of the Central part of the Chui valley of the KYRGYZ Republic: white mustard, white clover, spring barley, Rowan-leaved phacelia, oilseed radish as green fertilizers.

Germination Behavior and Geographical Information System-Based Phenotyping of Root Hairs to Evaluate the Effects of Different Sources of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larval Frass on Herbaceous Crops.

Insect larval frass has been proposed as a fertilizer and amendment, but methods for testing its effects on plants are poorly developed and need standardization. We obtained different types of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) frass via the factorial combination of (a) two insect diets, as follows: G (Gainesville = 50% wheat bran, 30% alfalfa meal, 20% maize meal) and W (43% sheep whey + 57% seeds); (b) two frass thermal treatments: NT = untreated and T = treated at 70 °C for 1 h. We tested the effects on the germination of cress (Lepidium sativum L.) and wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) by applying 1:2 w:w water extracts at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% concentration. Standardizing frass water content before extraction affected chemical composition. Frass extracts showed high electrical conductivity (8.88 to 13.78 mS cm-1). The W diet was suppressive towards Escherichia coli and showed a lower content of nitrates (e.g., WNT 40% lower than GNT) and a concentration-dependent phytotoxic effect on germinating plants. At 25% concentration, germination indices of G were 4.5 to 40-fold those at 100%. Root and shoot length and root hair area were affected by diet and concentration of frass extracts (e.g., root and shoot length in cress at 25% were, respectively, 4.53 and 2 times higher than at 100%), whereas the effects of the thermal treatment were few or inconclusive. On barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown in micropots on a silty loam soil, root mass was reduced by 37% at high extract concentration. A quick procedure for root hair surface area was developed based on the geographic information system (GIS) and may provide a fast method for incorporating root hair phenotyping in frass evaluation. The results indicate that below-ground structures need to be addressed in research on frass effects. For this, phyotoxicity tests should encompass different extract dilutions, and frass water content should be standardized before extraction in the direction of canonical procedures to allow comparisons.

Microwave extraction and molecular imprinted polymer isolation of bergenin applied to the dendrochronological chemical study of Peltophorum dubium

This study describes methodologies for extracting and isolating bergenin, a C-glucoside of 4-O-methylgallic acid found in some plants and it presents various in vitro and in vivo biological activities. Bergenin was previously obtained from the Pelthophorum dubim (Fabaceae) roots with a good yield. Conventional chromatographic procedures of the CHCl3 soluble fraction of the MeOH extract gave 3.62% of this glucoside. An HPLC/DAD method was also developed and validated for bergenin and its precursor, gallic acid quantifications. Microwave extractions with different solvents were tested to optimize the extraction of bergenin, varying the temperature and time. MAE (Microwave Assisted Extraction) was more efficient than conventional extraction procedures, giving a higher yield of bergenin per root mass (0.45% vs. 0.0839%). Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) and non-imprinted polymer (NIP) based on bergenin as the template molecule, methacrylic acid, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate were synthesized and characterized by FTIR and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). Bergenin adsorption experiments using MIP and NIP followed by molecular imprinted solid phase extraction (MISPE) showed that MIP had a higher selectivity for bergenin than NIP. A dendrochronological study using the proposed method for detection and quantification of gallic acid and bergenin in five P. dubium growth rings of a 31-year-old heartwood and in the phelloderm and barks indicated that bergenin was more abundant in the 11–14th growth rings of the heartwood and decreased from the heartwood to the barks.

Quinoa growth and yield, soil water dynamics, root growth, and water use indicators in response to deficit irrigation and planting methods

To address the growing issue of scarce water in the arid and semi-arid areas, it is essential to investigate the potential of drought tolerant crops and implement promising farm management strategies to improve water productivity and yield production. Therefore, a split plot experiment to investigate how different irrigation levels (I-1:100% water requirement (WR), I-2:75%WR, and I-3: 50%WR) and planting methods (P-1: basin, P-2: on-ridge, and, P-3: in-furrow) interact and affect quinoa water use, yield, root growth, and water productivity in southern Iran over two growing seasons. The results showed high seasonal crop evapotranspiration (993–1030 mm) in I-1 as a result of the high advection ratio (α), which ranged from 1.02 to 1.46 from the early vegetative to the seed filling stages. The P-3 increased transpiration rate by 4.5% and 7.7%, and decreased soil evaporation by 17% and 29% compared to P-1 and P-2, respectively. Single (Kc) and dual (Kcb + Ke) crop coefficients varied between 0.41 and 1.38 over the two growing seasons. Grain yield in P-3 were 25%, 34%, and 44% higher compared to P-1 and P-2 under I-1, I-2 and I-3, respectively. The study revealed that nearly 67% and 80% of the total root dry matter was in the 0–30 cm and 0–60 cm of the soil profile in all experimental treatments, respectively. Regardless of irrigation treatment, root length density (RLD) and root mass density (RMD) were found to be 18.9% and 15.7% lower in P-1’s top 0–20 cm of the soil profile than those obtained in P-2 and P-3, respectively. Analyses showed that the increased root length in deeper soil layers contributed to higher soil water uptake, and consequently higher crop water productivity. In addition, root-to-shoot ratio increased as the amount of the applied irrigation water was decreased. Quinoa exhibited the highest acclimation to water stress in P-3 based on water stress sensitivity coefficients (λi) and yield response factor (Ky) values. Crop water productivity (WPC) and irrigation water productivity (WPI) for grain yield varied between 0.17 and 0.28 kg m−3. In conclusion, in terms of grain yield, shoot and root dry matter and water productivity, I-2 and P-3 (75% WR irrigation level and in-furrow planting method treatment) is recommended as the optimum water and planting management strategy for quinoa cultivation in the study area as a measure to address water scarcity and food sustainability. Still, to improve yield and irrigation water efficiency, the effect of soil management practices such as mulching and organic amendments on soil water retention and nutrient availability for quinoa should be investigated.

Optimization of physicochemical parameters for lipopeptides surfactin production by Bacillus halotolerans under oat straw medium using Box-Behnken design and artificial neural networks

The primary objective of this study was to produce lipopeptide surfactin using Bacillus halotolerans (GenBank accession: ON204239), which was isolated from the rhizosphere of pine trees in the El Baaraouia forest in Eastern Algeria. B. halotolerans demonstrated the capacity to biosynthesize surfactants when cultured on a blood agar medium, resulting in the formation of clear zones around the colonies. Antagonism tests were conducted using the culture supernatant on two liquid media: LB (Luria-Bertani) and a natural medium (OSM) with oats as the sole carbon source. The results showed significant inhibition zones (15 mm) on LB medium compared to larger zones (25 mm) on OSM after 24 h. In vivo, antagonistic activity under field conditions after 12 weeks revealed that B. halotolerans inoculated in OSM effectively enhanced and protected tomato plants against F. napiforme compared to the LB medium and the control group. The results exhibited notable differences in plant size, number of leaves, number of discolored leaves, and root mass, all favoring the OSM-inoculated plants. The study utilized a combination of Box-Behnken design within the response surface methodology (BBD-RSM), artificial neural networks (ANNs), and the genetic algorithm (GA) to optimize culture conditions and achieve maximum surfactin production. The optimal conditions for surfactin production included a substrate concentration of 7 g, incubation time of 30 h, pH of 2.31, and a temperature of 37.4 °C. Under these conditions, the antagonism test against phytopathogenic F. napiforme (GenBank accession: ON204349) using the culture supernatant revealed a significant inhibition zone of 18.5 mm after 24 h. UPLC-MS analysis of the lipopeptides produced by B. halotolerans cultured on an oat straw medium confirmed the production of various surfactin analogs. Seven analogs (C12, C13, C14, C15, C16, C17, and C18) were identified. Notably, the production of surfactin analogs by B. halotolerans in the Luria-Bertani medium yielded fewer analogs (C12, C13, C14, C15, and C16) in comparison. In summary, this study successfully optimized surfactin production conditions using BBD-RSM, ANNs, and GA, leading to enhanced antagonistic activity against F. napiforme and the identification of multiple surfactin analogs.

Liming shift above- and belowground functional traits of Chinese fir from conservative to acquisitive

Plant functional traits can serve as indicators of plant resource-use strategies in response to environmental changes. Plants growing in acidified soil exhibit conservative traits and limit growth, but there is still little known about changes in above- and belowground functional traits and their coordination under alleviation of soil acidification. Here, we conducted a pot experiment on raising soil pH by liming in Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) saplings in southern China. The experiment involved in two degrees of acidified soil (Mild, pH = 4.3; Severe, pH = 3.6) and three liming treatments: Control (CK, 0), low liming treatment (L, 1000 kg CaO hm−2) and high liming treatment (H, 4000 kg CaO hm−2). We measured 22 above- and belowground functional traits of Chinese fir including allocation, morphological, photosynthetic, and chemical traits to assess their response to liming. The results show that liming enhanced aboveground mass fraction and total leaf area (TLA), and reduced construction cost (lower C concentration). However, specific leaf area (SLA), nutrient concentrations of N and P, and photosynthetic rate (Pn) remained unchanged. These results suggest that aboveground components exhibited acquisitive strategies in response to liming with greater TLA and lower construction cost. Moreover, liming reduced root mass fraction (RMF), increased specific root length (SRL), specific root area (SRA), and root N and Ca nutrient concentrations. These results suggest that belowground components also exhibited acquisitive strategies through constructing longer and thinner roots with greater metabolic rates. Our findings show that liming shifts above- and belowground resource-use strategies of Chinese fir from conservative to acquisitive. These changes in functional traits support the ability of Chinese fir to grow rapidly in response to alleviation of soil acidification. Our research not only contributes to a deeper understanding of plant adaptation mechanisms in the face of environment changes but also provides valuable insights for improving carbon sequestration of plantations in subtropical China.

STUDY OF PATHOGENICITY OF GAEUMANNOMYCES TRITICI - THE TAKE-ALL FUNGUS

Isolates of Gaeumannomyces spp. obtained from diseased roots of winter wheat showing take-all symptoms were characterized by pathogenicity. All isolates were more pathogenic on wheat and barley than on oat, and were identified as G. tritici. Most isolates of G. tritici were characterized as middle pathogenic, the pathogenicity of one isolate was higher than those of others, and two isolates showed the lowest pathogenicity. 30 isolates of dark-colored fungi were isolated from the affected plants of winter wheat, which according to cultural characteristics were previously assigned to the genus Gaeumannomyces. To establish the species affiliation of the selected Gaeumannomyces isolates, we investigated their pathogenicity and specialization on three grain crops: wheat, barley, and oats. All isolates affected the roots of all three crops, but they were more pathogenic on wheat and barley. Based on this feature, they were previously assigned to the subspecies G. graminis var. tritici (now the species G. tritici). The pathogenic properties of the isolates were studied on seedlings of Yelyk wheat plants. All G. tritici isolates analyzed by us showed a high level of pathogenicity. The G. tritici 9/1 isolate was characterized by significantly higher pathogenicity compared to other isolates according to the "disease development" indicator. Most of the other isolates showed medium pathogenicity (3/20, 7/20, 2/16/21, 3/16/21, 16/22), and only two isolates (1/20, 4/16/21) were low pathogenic. In our research, in addition to the "disease development" indicator in points (0-4) to assess the pathogenicity of isolates, we used indicators that characterize the growth and development of plants, namely "weight of 1 seedling" and "mass of roots from 1 seedling". Taking into account the data on these indicators, isolate 9/22 was characterized by significantly higher pathogenicity compared to other isolates: when affected by it, the mass of wheat seedlings and roots was significantly lower than in other variants. Isolates 3/20 and 7/20 were characterized by medium pathogenicity, when infected with them, a significant decrease in the mass of the roots of seedlings was noted. Isolates 16/22 and 3/16/21 showed a low level of pathogenicity - the decrease in root mass was insignificant.

Microbiological preparations based on strains of associative bacteria in the cultivation of spring wheat in Central Yakutia

The studies were conducted in Central Yakutia on permafrost taiga-pale-yellow soils with a low humus content from 2016 to 2020. The use of biological products of associative bacteria is an environmentally friendly way to increase crop yields and improve soil fertility. The effect of pre-sowing inoculation of spring wheat seeds with various biological preparations of associative bacteria: Rhizoagrin, Mobilin, Mizorin was studied. The responsiveness of the culture to the use of biological preparations was noted: inoculation of seeds contributed to the formation of grain yield of spring wheat. In the experimental variants, a significant increase in the yield of spring wheat grain was noted — on average up to 1.6 t/ha in the variant using the preparation Mizorin. Pre-sowing inoculation of spring wheat seeds contributed to increased plant growth in height (up to 14%), an increase in the amount of grain (up to 16%), as well as an increase in the mass of roots (up to 35%), leaves (up to 60%), inflorescences (up to 24%), straw (up to 48%). The use of the studied biopreparations based on strains of associative bacteria had a positive effect on both the growth and development of plants and an increase in the yield of spring wheat grain.

Действие барьерного разряда при атмосферном давлении на физические и морфологические свойства сорта пшеницы "Навруз"

To improve the growth and development of industrial crops, various physical methods of external factors influence on seeds before sowing are widely used. The work shows that pre-sowing treatment of wheat seeds by barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure improves the realization of genetic information, and contributes to the enhancement of physical and biochemical processes. At the initial stages of seed germination, the study found that treatment of wheat seeds with barrier discharge primarily affects the germination energy and overall germination. In this regard, we investigated the effect of barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure in three variants: 1-min/A, 1-min/B, and 2-min. We set a goal to find out the effect of barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure on physical and morphological properties of wheat variety "Navruz", namely growth, development, and formation of roots. The seeds were treated in the laboratory of the Institute of High Current Electronics SB RAS. The experiments were carried out in the Siberian Research Institute of Agriculture and Peat (branch of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences). It was found that the sensitivity of plants to physical factors depends on the dose and time of treatment, which can lead to an increase and change in their morphological properties. The highest indices in the laboratory tests were shown by the seeds soaked in distilled water: germination energy and germination of all seeds were the same (98%); length (5,1 sm - control variant) and mass of seedlings (0,8 g - control variant); length (7,1 sm - 1-min/t and control variant), quantity (4,8 pieces - 1-min/t and control variant) and mass of roots (0,3 g-1min/t). The experiments showed that the barrier discharge gives a positive effect, leading to changes in the physical and morphological properties of wheat, its functional group, including N-H, affects the germination energy and overall germination of wheat.

Avaliação de genótipos de Phaseolus vulgaris quanto à resistência a Meloidogyne incognita

ABSTRACT Several nematodes have been reported to damage common bean, being the main one the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita). This study aimed to evaluate the reaction of 20 common bean genotypes against the infestation of M. incognita, in an experiment conducted under greenhouse conditions, in a completely randomized design. The plants were inoculated with 4,000 eggs + J2 of M. incognita and, at 60 days after inoculation, they were removed for evaluation of root and shoot fresh mass, nematodes per plant and per gram of root, and reproduction factor. The BGF0011762, BGF0011854, BGF0011861, BGF0011862, BGF0011987, BGF0012533, BGF0013294, BGF0013355, BGF0013875 and BGF0013955 genotypes were classified as resistant. The principal component analysis explained 91.22 % of the variability among the nematode reproduction variables (nematode per plant and per gram of root, and reproduction factor) and the common bean phenotypic variables. The root and shoot fresh mass showed a high correlation between themselves, but also manifested an inverse relationship with nematodes per plant and nematode density population.

Reaction of potato cultivars to Potato Cyst Nematodes (Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida) under greenhouse conditions in Kenya

Several measures have been recommended in the control of potato cyst nematodes (PCN) with resistant potato cultivars being considered as the most practical and affordable for smallholder potato farmers in Kenya. However, the level of resistance in locally grown potato varieties is yet to be established. The aim of this study was to screen Kenyan potato cultivars against PCN under greenhouse conditions. Eleven potato cultivars namely Shangi, Dutch Robijn, Sherekea, Nyota, Roseline tana, Tigoni, Unica, Asante, Chulu, Kenya Mpya and Arka were screened with Desiree (susceptible variety), Manitou (resistant cultivar) as controls. For each potato cultivar, there were two sets of plants with the first set being inoculated with 50 cysts, while the second batch was nematode-free. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. A scale of 1-9, with 9 indicating the highest level of resistance was used in the assessment of disease severity. Nematode infestation caused a reduction in root mass across the 11 cultivars from 20 to 100% compared to uninoculated controls. Reproductive index of PCN viable eggs across the 11 cultivars was <1 compared to control (Desiree). Potato cultivars Shangi, Tigoni, Dutch, Chulu, Asante, Unica, Arka, Kenya Mpya, and Roseline Tana had a severity score of 1-3 (>95%), hence were considered to be susceptible to PCN. The cultivars Sherekea and Nyota had a severity score of 4-6 (<25%) and hence were considered partially resistant to PCN. The findings of this study provides a basis of integrating partially resistant potato cultivars into PCN management in smallholder farms. Keywords: Cyst viable eggs, reproductive index, resistance, susceptible, smallholder farmers, severity score.

Fusarium species causing root rot and wilt in tomato in Brazil

AbstractA high frequency of plants showing symptoms of wilting and root rot has been observed in tomato‐producing areas in Santarém and Belterra, Pará, Brazil. These plants showed symptoms ranging from yellowing to wilting, with roots displaying reduced development and darkening of the xylem. Four fungal isolates, derived from a collection of 12 obtained from symptomatic plants, were chosen for identification using both morphological and phylogenetic species concepts. To determine the identity of the fungi, DNA was extracted and used in PCR reactions. PCR products were sequenced from the TEF‐1α and RBP2 regions and compared with sequences in GenBank using BLASTn. Based on the phylogenetic analyses, the isolates were identified as Fusarium falciforme and Fusarium suttonianum, belonging to the species complex Fusarium solani – (FSSC), and Fusarium triseptatum, belonging to the species complex Fusarium oxysporum – (FOSC). The fourth isolate, COUFPI 295, grouped within a clade of F. kalimantanense and F. sangayamense from FOSC. The fulfilment of Koch's postulates confirmed that all isolates induced symptoms of root rot and concomitant reduction in root mass, leading to observable wilting symptoms. This is the first report of F. suttonianum, F. falciforme and F. triseptatum causing root rot and wilt in tomato plants in Brazil.